Delta State Appropriation Bill of 714. 4 billion Naira for the services of the state government for the 2024 fiscal year, has passed second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
House Leader, Emeka Nwaobi led debates on the merits of the Money Bill during Thursday’s plenary of the Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
The 2024 Appropriation Bill was read the second time a day after it was laid before the Lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber of the State Legislature by Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori who was performing such duty for the first time as Governor of Delta State.
In line with the Governor’s Social Contract with the people, the proposed financial law christened “Budget of Hope and Optimism” is made up of N316.6 Billion, representing 44 percent of the total budget as recurrent expenditure and N397.9 Billion naira, representing 56 per cent of the total budget as capital expenditure.
Leading debates on the bill, House Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, said Delta State has been positioned on the road map for accelerated and uncommon socio-economic transformation by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who had during his electioneering campaigns promised Deltans MORE.
Nwaobi explained that besides consolidating on achievements of the immediate past administration in the state, every sector of the Delta State economy was captured in the budget to stimulate unhindered development and growth in the state.
He said funding of the budget would not be of any challenge as revenue sources were articulated and highlighted in the appropriation bill, stressing that prudent implementation and financial discipline as envisioned in the financial document would further strengthen public confidence and support for the PDP-led government in Delta State.
The Majority Leader, alongside the Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, member representing Bomadi Constituency, Oboro Preyor and his counterpart for Warri South One, Austin Uroye, maintained that the 2024 Budget is geared to restore hope to Deltans, alleviate poverty and encourage steady growth in every sector of the economy, including the non-oil sector.
Others in their contributions, described the provisions in the proposed budget as vision-driven geared towards speedy development and well-defined economic reforms.
They said the proposed financial law would curb wastages in governance as it was drafted to strategically identify key areas of need that would promote efficiency, enhance the quality of lives and infrastructure and reduce poverty in the state.
The lawmakers who were unanimous in asking for a speedy conclusion of the legislative process on the appropriation bill, also agreed that the 2024 budget proposals, contained fundamental elements for development, emphasizing that the assumptions are real and projections achievable.
They however expressed the need to walk the talk, especially in the areas of cutting wastages and fiscal discipline, pointing out that successful implementation of the 2024 budget would position the state to astronomical rise in productivity and uncommon achievements.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor commended the Lawmakers for their robust debate on the appropriation bill, saying that they had again proven their commitment to the growth and development of the state.
The Speaker then referred the Bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, with all other standing committees as sub-committees to report back to the House on Wednesday 13th December 2023.
